Valencia goalkeeper Diego Alves faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering a serious knee injury against former club Almeria on Saturday.

The 29-year-old was hauled off in the second half of Los Che’s 3-2 victory at Mediterraneo, which secured the side Champions League football next season, and it has since emerged that he tore the anterior cruciate ligaments and meniscus in his right knee.

Although a recovery time has not been specified by the club, the Brazil international will miss this summer’s Copa America as he prepares to undergo surgery and is not expected back until the New Year at the earliest.

Alves made 37 appearances for Valencia in 2014-15, keeping 13 clean sheets in the process.

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